TRANCE BERSERKER
Trance berserkers are members of holy orders who are able to place their bodies into a serene, semiconscious state, even in the midst of combat, and then suddenly explode into a violent fury, becoming even more deadly for their time spent in trance. These unique battle priests believe there is a time for law and a time for chaos and strive to strike balance between both extremes in their lives. They spend much time disciplining their bodies in order to achieve an ultimate calm during their meditations and ultimate carnage when they enter combat.
Hit Die: d10
Requirements
Alignment: Neutral good, neutral, or neutral evil.
Base Attack Bonus: +5
Feats: Combat casting.
Spells: Ability to cast 1st level divine spells with access to the strength or war domains.
Special: Rage ability.
Class Skills
The trance berserker’s class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Climb (Str), Concentration (Wis), Craft (Int), Heal (Wis), Intimidate (Cha), Jump (Str), Knowledge (religion), Listen (Wis), Ride (Dex), Spellcraft (Int), Spot (Wis), Survival (Wis), Swim (Str).
Skill Points at Each Level: 2 + Int modifier.
Code:
TABLE: TRANCE BERSERKER
Level BAB Fort Ref Will Special Spells per Day
1st +1 +2 +0 +0 Rage trance +2 —
2nd +2 +3 +0 +0 Inspired trance +1 level of existing divine spellcasting class
3rd +3 +3 +1 +1 Snap out —
4th +4 +4 +1 +1 Rage trance +4 +1 level of existing divine spellcasting class
5th +5 +4 +1 +1 Rage +1 use/day —
6th +6 +5 +2 +2 Protected trance +1 level of existing divine spellcasting class
7th +7 +5 +2 +2 Rage trance +6 —
8th +8 +6 +2 +2 Rage +1 use/day +1 level of existing divine spellcasting class
9th +9 +6 +3 +3 Tireless rage —
10th +10 +7 +3 +3 Undying rage +1 level of existing divine spellcasting class
Class Features
All the following are features of the trance berserker prestige class.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: A trance berserker is proficient with all simple and martial weapons, light armor, medium armor, and shields.
Rage Trance (Su): At 1st level or higher a trance berserker can enter a meditative state that will enhance his ability to rage. For every round spent in complete meditation prior to entering a rage, the trance berserker’s temporary bonus to Strength and Constitution abilities and Will saves during rage will each increase by +1 up to a maximum of +2. At 4th level, this maximum will increase to +4 and at 7th level, the maximum will be +6. The player must declare how many rounds the trance berserker will meditate before entering the state. Each round of meditation is a full-round action and no other action, not even free actions or five-foot steps, can be taken while the trance berserker is meditating. The trance berserker is oblivious to the world around him while in meditation. If someone tries to attack him while meditating, the trance berserker is considered immobilized. On his turn following his last round of meditation, the trance berserker will automatically begin his rage. If a trance berserker takes any damage or is physically jostled while meditating, the meditation will end prematurely and he will enter his rage.
Inspired Trance (Sp): Beginning at 2nd level, a trance berserker can use his pre-rage meditation time to pre-cast divine spells that he can then fire off like quickened spells during his rage. Each spell pre-cast extends his meditation period by one round. The rounds spent pre-casting spells do not increase the trance berserker’s temporary bonuses to Strength and Constitution. Triggering a pre-cast spell during the subsequent rage is a free action. Only one pre-cast spell can be triggered per round. Spells that have a casting time longer than a full-round action cannot be pre-cast in this manner. If the pre-cast spell is not triggered during the trance berserker’s rage it was prepared for, the spell is wasted.
Snap Out (Ex): At 3rd level, a trance berserker gains the ability to make an automatic attack on anyone who attacks or otherwise rouses him out of his meditative state. When a trance berserker’s meditation is ended in such a manner, he will immediately stop gaining bonuses from his rage trance and
inspired trance abilities and begin his rage. If the attacker (or trance-breaking offender) is in a square that would normally be threatened by the trance berserker, he will immediately counter-attack with his best, single melee attack. If the meditating trance berserker is roused by a ranged attack, or from taking damage from an area spell, he will make his automatic attack on the nearest creature that he threatens (if any), even if the creature is an ally.
Rage (Ex): A trance berserker can enter a rage one additional time per day at 5th level and another time per day at 8th level.
Protected Trance (Su): At 6th level or higher, a trance berserker is protected by a mystical energy when he is meditating. The trance berserker receives a +4 deflection bonus to AC against any attack against him while he is in a trance. This bonus lasts until the beginning of the trance berserker’s next action in the round after his last round spent in trance.
Tireless Rage (Ex): Beginning at 9th level, a trance berserker no longer becomes fatigued at the end of his rage.
Undying Rage (Ex): At 10th level, a trance berserker can scorn death and unconsciousness while in a rage as long as he has meditated for at least one round before entering the rage. As long as the rage continues, he is not considered disabled at 0 hit points, nor is he considered dying at -1 to -9 hit points. Even if he is reduced to -10 hit points or less, he continues to fight normally until the rage ends. At that point, the effects of his wounds apply normally if they have not been healed. This ability does not prevent death from massive damage or from spells effects such as
slay living or
disintegrate.
